Gov Nwifuru Orders Arrests Of Seven Commissioners, LG Chairman

The Ebonyi State Government has arrested seven supervising commissioners and a local government chairman over delays in completing 140 housing units for the Izzo and Amaze communities, displaced by the Ezilo/Ezza Ezilo communal crisis in Ishielu Local Government Area, News360 Nigeria reports.

The arrested officials include:

Professor Omari Omaka (Commissioner for Tertiary Education)

Victor Chukwu (Commissioner for Environment)

Mr. Ifeanyi Ogbuewu (Commissioner for Culture and Tourism)

Uchenna Igwe (Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters)

Dr. Moses Ekuma (Commissioner for Health)

Felix Igboke (Commissioner for Project Monitoring)

Mr. Timothy Nwachi (Chairman of Afikpo Local Government Area)

The government accused them of failing to meet the contract’s terms and conditions, resulting in project delays.

Dr. Ilang Donates, Chairman of the State Executive Council Committee on the housing project, stated that the decision to arrest the officials was taken after they failed to ensure timely completion.

“The Governor is deeply unhappy about the slow pace of work. This project is meant to provide relief to displaced victims, and any delay is unacceptable. Those responsible for supervising the work will be held accountable,” Donates said.

Mrs. Maria Okohu, Special Assistant to the Governor on Women Mobilization, described the situation as an act of sabotage by contractors and some commissioners who failed to ensure strict supervision.

Meanwhile, the Nigeria Police has issued invitation letters to officials who were absent at the time of the arrests.